Computerized system and method for pushing information between devices

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are systems and methods for improving interactions with and between computers in content communicating, rendering, recommending, generating, hosting and/or providing systems supported by or configured with personal computing devices, servers and/or platforms. The systems interact to identify and retrieve data within or across platforms, which can be used to improve the quality of data used in processing interactions between or among processors in such systems. The present disclosure provides systems and methods for pushing information between two network connected devices during rendering of content on one of the devices. While a first device is rendering content, additional information corresponding to the rendered content can be communicated to the connected second device and rendered on the second device without interrupting the playback of the content rendered on the first device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from Chinese PatentApplication No.201510395406.9 filed on Jul. 7, 2015, entitled “Methodand System for Information Push,” which is incorporated herein in by itsentirety by reference.

BACKGROUND Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications,and more particularly to providing non-native functionality to computingsystems for performing information push functionality.

Description of the Related Art

With the rapid development of internet technology, the use of smart TVsand smart set-top boxes has gradually become a staple in people'severyday lives as people can watch a variety of videos provided byservice providers through the smart TVs or the smart set-top boxes. Theservice providers can also add promotional information to the videos forproduct promotion. However, the promotional information added to thevideo may affect the users' viewing experience. On the other hand, ifthe users want to view the product information, the videos being playedoften need to be interrupted, which may also affect the users' viewingexperience.

BRIEF SUMMARY

At least for the aforementioned shortcomings in the art, the instantdisclosure provides systems and methods for pushing information betweendevices.

According to some embodiments, the present disclosure is realizedthrough the implementation of the following technical schemes andfunctionality:

An information push method, applied to a first terminal for playing amultimedia file, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

-   -   obtaining a push identifier of a second terminal; and    -   transmitting information relevant to a multimedia file to be        pushed to the second terminal according to the push identifier,        so that the second terminal displays the relevant information to        be pushed.

According to some embodiments, the push identifier is the informationused for connecting the first terminal with the second terminal; and

-   -   the step of transmitting the information to be pushed to the        second terminal according to the push identifier comprises:    -   establishing a connection with the second terminal according to        the connection information and transmitting the information to        be pushed to the second terminal through the connection.

According to some embodiments, the push identifier is the registrationinformation of the second terminal; and

-   -   the step of transmitting the information to be pushed to the        second terminal according to the push identifier comprises:    -   transmitting the registration information to a server side, so        that the server side transmits the information to be pushed to        the second terminal according to the registration information.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises:

-   -   providing a two-dimensional (2D) code to be scanned by the        second terminal; and    -   the step of obtaining the push identifier of the second terminal        comprises:    -   obtaining the push identifier of the second terminal through a        scanning process of the two-dimensional code.

According to some embodiments, the information to be pushed comprises apush time point, the push time point being the playing time point of themultimedia file; and

-   -   the step of transmitting information relevant to a multimedia        file to be pushed to the second terminal according to the push        identifier comprises:    -   transmitting the information to be pushed to the second terminal        according to the push identifier when the multimedia file is        played at the playing time point.

According to some embodiments, the first terminal is a smart TV or asmart set-top box; and

-   -   the information to be pushed comprises product information        relevant to the multimedia file.

According to some embodiments, an information push device, applied to afirst terminal for playing a multimedia file, comprises:

-   -   an identifier obtaining unit for obtaining a push identifier of        a second terminal; and    -   an information push unit for transmitting information to be        pushed relevant to the multimedia file to the second terminal        according to the push identifier, so that the second terminal        displays the relevant information to be pushed.

According to some embodiments, the push identifier is the informationused for connecting the first terminal with the second terminal; and

-   -   the information push unit specifically establishes a connection        with the second terminal according to the connection        information, and transmits the information to be pushed to the        second terminal through the connection.

According to some embodiments, the push identifier is the registrationinformation of the second terminal; and

-   -   the information push unit specifically transmits the        registration information to a server side, so that the server        side transmits the information to be pushed to the second        terminal according to the registration information.

According to some embodiments, the device further comprises:

-   -   a two-dimensional code provision unit for providing a        two-dimensional code to be scanned by the second terminal;    -   the identifier obtaining unit specifically obtaining the push        identifier of the second terminal through a scanning process of        the two-dimensional code.

According to some embodiments, the information to be pushed comprises apush time point, the push time point being the playing time point of themultimedia file;

-   -   the information push unit specifically transmits the information        to be pushed to the second terminal according to the push        identifier when the multimedia file is played at the playing        time point.

According to some embodiments, the first terminal is a smart TV or asmart set-top box; and

-   -   the information to be pushed comprises product information        relevant to the multimedia file.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium is provided, the non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium tangibly storing thereon, or havingtangibly encoded thereon, computer readable instructions that whenexecuted cause at least one processor to perform a method as discussedherein.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system is provided thatcomprises one or more computing devices (also referred to as a “device”)configured to provide functionality in accordance with such embodiments.In accordance with one or more embodiments, functionality is embodied insteps of a method performed by at least one computing device. Inaccordance with one or more embodiments, program code (or program logicor computer-executable instructions) is executed by a processor(s) of acomputing device to implement functionality in accordance with one ormore such embodiments is embodied in, by and/or on a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium.

From the above descriptions, the first terminal of the application cantransmit the information to be pushed relevant to the multimedia file tothe second terminal according to the push identifier after obtaining thepush identifier of the second terminal, so as to realize the push of theinformation to be pushed through the first terminal to the secondterminal without affecting the users' viewing experience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of thedisclosure will be apparent from the following description ofembodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichreference characters refer to the same parts throughout the variousviews. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead beingplaced upon illustrating principles of the disclosure:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an information push method according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an information push method according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an information push method according to someembodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a hardware structural diagram of the first terminal where aninformation push device is shown according to some embodiments of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a structural diagram of an information push device accordingto some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific example embodiments.Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different formsand, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to beconstrued as not being limited to any example embodiments set forthherein; example embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative.Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matteris intended. Among other things, for example, subject matter may beembodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. Accordingly,embodiments may, for example, take the form of hardware, software,firmware or any combination thereof (other than software per se). Thefollowing detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be takenin a limiting sense.

Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meaningssuggested or implied in context beyond an explicitly stated meaning.Likewise, the phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does notnecessarily refer to the same embodiment and the phrase “in anotherembodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a differentembodiment. It is intended, for example, that claimed subject matterinclude combinations of example embodiments in whole or in part.

In general, terminology may be understood at least in part from usage incontext. For example, terms, such as “and”, “or”, or “and/or,” as usedherein may include a variety of meanings that may depend at least inpart upon the context in which such terms are used. Typically, “or” ifused to associate a list, such as A, B or C, is intended to mean A, B,and C, here used in the inclusive sense, as well as A, B or C, here usedin the exclusive sense. In addition, the term “one or more” as usedherein, depending at least in part upon context, may be used to describeany feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense or may beused to describe combinations of features, structures or characteristicsin a plural sense. Similarly, terms, such as “a,” “an,” or “the,” again,may be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a pluralusage, depending at least in part upon context. In addition, the term“based on” may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey anexclusive set of factors and may, instead, allow for existence ofadditional factors not necessarily expressly described, again, dependingat least in part on context.

The present disclosure is described below with reference to blockdiagrams and operational illustrations of methods and devices. It isunderstood that each block of the block diagrams or operationalillustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams oroperational illustrations, can be implemented by means of analog ordigital hardware and computer program instructions. These computerprogram instructions can be provided to a processor of a general purposecomputer to alter its function as detailed herein, a special purposecomputer, ASIC, or other programmable data processing apparatus, suchthat the instructions, which executed via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, implement thefunctions/acts specified in the block diagrams or operational block orblocks. In some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted inthe blocks can occur out of the order noted in the operationalillustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession can in factbe executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can sometimes beexecuted in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/actsinvolved.

These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of ageneral purpose computer to alter its function, a special purposecomputer, ASIC, or other programmable data processing apparatus, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, implement thefunctions/acts specified in the block diagrams or operational block orblocks.

For the purposes of this disclosure a computer readable medium (orcomputer-readable storage medium/media) stores computer data, which datacan include computer program code (or computer-executable instructions)that is executable by a computer, in machine readable form. By way ofexample, and not limitation, a computer readable medium may comprisecomputer readable storage media, for tangible or fixed storage of data,or communication media for transient interpretation of code-containingsignals. Computer readable storage media, as used herein, refers tophysical or tangible storage (as opposed to signals) and includeswithout limitation volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for thetangible storage of information such as computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data. As discussed below,computer readable storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM,ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other solid state memory technology,CD-ROM, DVD, or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetictape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother physical or material medium which can be used to tangibly storethe desired information or data or instructions and which can beaccessed by a computer or processor.

For the purposes of this disclosure the term “server” should beunderstood to refer to a service point which provides processing,database, and communication facilities. By way of example, and notlimitation, the term “server” can refer to a single, physical processorwith associated communications and data storage and database facilities,or it can refer to a networked or clustered complex of processors andassociated network and storage devices, as well as operating softwareand one or more database systems and application software that supportthe services provided by the server. Servers may vary widely inconfiguration or capabilities, but generally a server may include one ormore central processing units and memory. A server may also include oneor more mass storage devices, one or more power supplies, one or morewired or wireless network interfaces, one or more input/outputinterfaces, or one or more operating systems, such as Windows Server,Mac OS X, Unix, Linux, FreeBSD, or the like.

For the purposes of this disclosure a “network” should be understood torefer to a network that may couple devices so that communications may beexchanged, such as between a server and a client device or other typesof devices, including between wireless devices coupled via a wirelessnetwork, for example. A network may also include mass storage, such asnetwork attached storage (NAS), a storage area network (SAN), or otherforms of computer or machine readable media, for example. A network mayinclude the Internet, one or more local area networks (LANs), one ormore wide area networks (WANs), wire-line type connections, wirelesstype connections, cellular or any combination thereof. Likewise,sub-networks, which may employ differing architectures or may becompliant or compatible with differing protocols, may interoperatewithin a larger network. Various types of devices may, for example, bemade available to provide an interoperable capability for differingarchitectures or protocols. As one illustrative example, a router mayprovide a link between otherwise separate and independent LANs.

A communication link or channel may include, for example, analogtelephone lines, such as a twisted wire pair, a coaxial cable, full orfractional digital lines including T1, T2, T3, or T4 type lines,Integrated Services Digital Networks (ISDNs), Digital Subscriber Lines(DSLs), wireless links including satellite links, or other communicationlinks or channels, such as may be known to those skilled in the art.Furthermore, a computing device or other related electronic devices maybe remotely coupled to a network, such as via a wired or wireless lineor link, for example.

For purposes of this disclosure, a “wireless network” should beunderstood to couple client devices with a network. A wireless networkmay employ stand-alone ad-hoc networks, mesh networks, Wireless LAN(WLAN) networks, cellular networks, or the like. A wireless network mayfurther include a system of terminals, gateways, routers, or the likecoupled by wireless radio links, or the like, which may move freely,randomly or organize themselves arbitrarily, such that network topologymay change, at times even rapidly.

A wireless network may further employ a plurality of network accesstechnologies, including Long Term Evolution (LTE), WLAN, Wireless Router(WR) mesh, or 2nd, 3rd, or 4th generation (2G, 3G, or 4G) cellulartechnology, or the like. Network access technologies may enable widearea coverage for devices, such as client devices with varying degreesof mobility, for example.

For example, a network may enable RF or wireless type communication viaone or more network access technologies, such as Global System forMobile communication (GSM), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System(UMTS), General Packet Radio Services (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSMEnvironment (EDGE), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced,Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Bluetooth, 802.11b/g/n,or the like. A wireless network may include virtually any type ofwireless communication mechanism by which signals may be communicatedbetween devices, such as a client device or a computing device, betweenor within a network, or the like.

A computing device may be capable of sending or receiving signals, suchas via a wired or wireless network, or may be capable of processing orstoring signals, such as in memory as physical memory states, and may,therefore, operate as a server. Thus, devices capable of operating as aserver may include, as examples, dedicated rack-mounted servers, desktopcomputers, laptop computers, set top boxes, integrated devices combiningvarious features, such as two or more features of the foregoing devices,or the like. Servers may vary widely in configuration or capabilities,but generally a server may include one or more central processing unitsand memory. A server may also include one or more mass storage devices,one or more power supplies, one or more wired or wireless networkinterfaces, one or more input/output interfaces, or one or moreoperating systems, such as Windows Server, Mac OS X, Unix, Linux,FreeBSD, or the like.

For purposes of this disclosure, a client (or consumer or user) devicemay include a computing device capable of sending or receiving signals,such as via a wired or a wireless network. A client device may, forexample, include a desktop computer or a portable device, such as acellular telephone, a smart phone, a display pager, a radio frequency(RF) device, an infrared (IR) device an Near Field Communication (NFC)device, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, atablet computer, a phablet, a laptop computer, a set top box, a wearablecomputer, smart watch, an integrated or distributed device combiningvarious features, such as features of the forgoing devices, or the like.

A client device may vary in terms of capabilities or features. Claimedsubject matter is intended to cover a wide range of potentialvariations. For example, a smart phone, phablet or tablet may include anumeric keypad or a display of limited functionality, such as amonochrome liquid crystal display (LCD) for displaying text. Incontrast, however, as another example, a web-enabled client device mayinclude one or more physical or virtual keyboards, mass storage, one ormore accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, global positioning system(GPS) or other location-identifying type capability, or a display with ahigh degree of functionality, such as a touch-sensitive color 2D or 3Ddisplay, for example.

A client device may include or may execute a variety of operatingsystems, including a personal computer operating system, such as aWindows®, iOS® or Linux®, or a mobile operating system, such as iOS,Android®, or Windows® Mobile, or the like.

A client device may include or may execute a variety of possibleapplications, such as a client software application enablingcommunication with other devices, such as communicating one or moremessages, such as via email, short message service (SMS), or multimediamessage service (MMS), including via a network, such as a socialnetwork, to provide only a few possible examples. A client device mayalso include or execute an application to communicate content, such as,for example, textual content, multimedia content, or the like. A clientdevice may also include or execute an application to perform a varietyof possible tasks, such as browsing, searching, playing various forms ofcontent, including locally stored or streamed video, or games (such asfantasy sports leagues). The foregoing is provided to illustrate thatclaimed subject matter is intended to include a wide range of possiblefeatures or capabilities.

As discussed herein, the terms used in the application are not-limitingand are merely intended to describe specific embodiments, rather than tolimit the application. In the application and the attached claims, theusage of the singular “one kind”, “the said”, and “the” are intended toinclude the plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Itshould also be understood that the term “and/or” used in the applicationmeans and includes any or all possible combinations of one or moreassociated listed items.

It should be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”,“third”, and the like may be used in the application to describe avariety of information, which shall not be limited to these terms. Theseterms are used only to distinguish the same type of information from oneanother. For example, as long as it is not departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure, the first information may also be referred to asthe second information; similarly, the second information may also bereferred to as the first information. Depending on the context, forexample, the word “if” used herein can be interpreted as “at the time of. . . . . . ” or “when . . . . . . ” or “in response to determining.”

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of an information push process according tosome embodiments of the present disclosure.

As disclosed in FIG. 1, an information push process can be applied tothe first terminal; the first terminal is usually a smart device capableof playing multimedia files, such as, for example, smart televisions(TVs) and smart set-top boxes, and the like. The information pushprocess can comprise the following steps:

-   -   Step 101: obtaining a push identifier of a second terminal.

In some embodiments, a first terminal can provide a two-dimensional codeto be scanned by a second terminal, and can obtain the push identifierof the second terminal through a scanning process of the two-dimensionalcode by the second terminal. In some embodiments, the first terminal andthe second terminal are two different terminals; the first terminal hasat least a multimedia playing function, and the second terminal has atleast an information display function. In some embodiments, the firstand second terminals may be different terminals in the same local areanetwork, or may be two different terminals connected via Bluetooth®,infrared and any other known or to be known short-range communicationprotocol; and, in some embodiments, the first and second terminals maybe two different terminals connected to a server(s) via the Internet.For example, the first terminal is a smart TV, and the second terminalis a smart phone. The smart TV can provide a two-dimensional code in thecorner of the screen, and obtain the push identifier of the smart phonefrom a process that the user uses via the smart phone to scan thetwo-dimensional code. Of course, the first terminal can also obtain thepush identifier of the second terminal in other ways, for example, thepush identifier can be obtained through Near Field Communication (NFC),infrared and any other known or to be known short-range communicationtechnology. It should be understood that no special restrictions will bemade in the application with respect to the providing and/or obtainingof the two-dimensional code, as discussed above.

In some embodiments, the push identifier can be used as the connectioninformation of the second terminal (for connecting to the firstterminal), such as, for example: an Internet Protocol (IP) address ofthe second terminal and a media access control (MAC) address of thesecond terminal. In some embodiments, the push identifier can also bethe registration information of the second terminal, such as, forexample: the account ID previously registered in the server side by theuser, and the like.

Step 102: transmitting information relevant to a multimedia file viapush protocol to the second terminal according to the push identifier,so that the second terminal displays the relevant pushed information.

In some embodiments, the information relevant to the multimedia file tobe pushed can be arranged in advance. The information to be pushed maycomprise: an information identifier, a uniform resource locator (URL)address of information, a push time point, and the like. In someembodiments, the information to be pushed can also be added in themultimedia file, or the information to be pushed can be independentlystored, and the mapping relationship between the information to bepushed and the multimedia file is configured in association withone-another. It should be understood that no special restrictions willbe made in the application with regard to the arrangement of the pushinformation and the multimedia file, as any known or to be knownarrangement can be used herein without departing from the scope of theinstant application.

If the information to be pushed is added in the multimedia file, in thisstep, then the first terminal can analyze relevant information to bepushed from the multimedia file. If the information to be pushed isindependently stored, in this step, then the first terminal can obtainthe information to be pushed relevant to the multimedia file accordingto the mapping relationship.

In some embodiments, after the first terminal obtains the pushidentifier of the second terminal, it can establish a Wi-Fi® orBluetooth® connection with the second terminal according to the pushidentifier, and then transmit the information to be pushed to the secondterminal through the connection. The first terminal may also transmitthe registration information of the second terminal to a server side,and the server side may transmit the information relevant to themultimedia file to be pushed to the second terminal according to theregistration information of the second terminal.

In some embodiments, the first terminal or server side can transmit theinformation to be pushed to the second terminal during the process ofplaying the multimedia file. According to some embodiments, the pushtime point comprised in the information to be pushed can be the playingtime point of the multimedia file; the first terminal or server side cantransmit the information to be pushed to the second terminal when themultimedia file is played at the playing time point. For example, thefirst terminal or server side can monitor the playing progress of themultimedia file; after it is monitored that the multimedia file isplayed at the push time point of some information to be pushed, thefirst terminal or server side can obtain the information to be pushedfrom an associated (e.g., connected or accessible) computer-readablestorage medium, and then transmit the information to be pushed to thesecond terminal. Another non-limiting example is that the first terminalor server side can start a timer for timing when the multimedia file isbeing played; after reaching the push time point of some information tobe pushed, the first terminal or server side can obtain the informationto be pushed from an associated (e.g., connected or accessible)computer-readable storage medium, and then transmit the information tobe pushed to the second terminal. The second terminal displays thereceived information to be pushed, so as to display the information tobe pushed to the users.

From the above descriptions, it is thus clear that the first terminal ofthe application can transmit the pushed information relevant to themultimedia file to the terminal according to the push identifier afterobtaining the push identifier of the second terminal, so as to realizethe push of the information through the first terminal to the secondterminal without affecting users' viewing experience.

As discussed herein, the implementation process of the disclosure willbe described in accordance with specific embodiments; however, suchembodiments should not be construed as limiting of the disclosed systemsand methods.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of another information push process accordingto some embodiments of the instant disclosure.

In FIG. 2, the disclosed information push process can be applied to orby the first terminal; the first terminal is usually a smart devicecapable of playing multimedia files, such as smart TVs and smart set-topboxes. The information push process can comprise the following steps:

-   -   Step 201: providing a two-dimensional code to be scanned by a        second terminal, and obtaining the connection information of the        second terminal in the scanning process of the two-dimensional        code.    -   In some embodiments, after startup of the first terminal, a        two-dimensional code can be provided (e.g., displayed) on the        display screen, and users can scan the two-dimensional code via        relevant application pre-loaded in the second terminal. For        example, after startup of the smart TV, a two-dimensional code        can be provided in the lower left corner of the screen; if the        user is willing to receive recommended products in the video        program, the user can scan the two-dimensional code via the        relevant application loaded on the mobile phone. In this        embodiment, the pre-loaded relevant application can detect and        recognize the two-dimensional code provided by the first        terminal.

In some embodiments, the first terminal can obtain the connectioninformation of the second terminal during the scanning process of thetwo-dimensional code by the second terminal. The connection informationof the second terminal may comprise an IP address of the secondterminal, a MAC address of the second terminal, Bluetooth® pairinginformation of the second terminal, and the like.

Step 202: establishing a connection with the second terminal accordingto the connection information.

Based on the above from Step 201, after the first terminal obtains theconnection information of the second terminal, the first terminal canestablish a connection with the second terminal. According to someembodiments, when the first terminal confirms to be located within thesame local area network as the second terminal according to theconnection information of the second terminal, the first terminal canestablish a Wi-Fi® connection with the second terminal. When theconnection information of the second terminal comprises Bluetooth®pairing information, the first terminal can also establish a Bluetooth®connection with the second terminal.

Step 203: transmitting the information to be pushed to the secondterminal through the connection when the multimedia file is played atthe push time point of the information to be pushed.

In some embodiments, the first terminal can play the multimedia filesselected by the user according to the playing instruction of the user;the multimedia file may comprise: video, audio, and the like. Serviceproviders usually set up push information of some commodities for themultimedia files as the information to be recommended to the users. Forexample, the service providers can add information of clothing worn byleading roles in a movie; the clothing information usually comprises thename of the clothing, purchase address, and the like. In someembodiments, the information to be pushed may comprise a push timepoint; the push time point is the time point for pushing the informationto be pushed to the users, and usually the playing time point of themultimedia file. For example, it is assumed that a movie comprises twokinds of information to be pushed, respectively: shirt A worn by a heroand skirt B worn by a heroine; the push time points of these two kindsof information to be pushed are 20′ and 40′, wherein at 20′ of thismovie, the displayed screen shows that a hero wears shirt A; at 40′ ofthis movie, the displayed screen shows that a heroine wears skirt B, thesmart TV will send the shirt A information to the user's mobile phonewhen the movie is played at the time point of 20′, and will send theskirt B information to the user's mobile phone when the movie is playedat the time point of 40′.

In this step, when the multimedia file is played at the push time pointof the information to be pushed, the first terminal transmits theinformation to be pushed to the second terminal through the connectionestablished in Step 202; and then the second terminal displays theinformation to be pushed, so as to push the information to be pushed tothe users. Taking the above case as the example once again, the smart TVwill send the shirt A information to the user's mobile phone when themovie is played at the time point of 20′, so as to realizesynchronization between the pushed product information and the movie; ifthe user is interested in the shirt A, the user can browse and purchaseshirt A through the mobile phone. In this process, the first terminalkeeps playing multimedia files without affecting the users' viewingexperience.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of another information push process accordingto some embodiments of the instant disclosure.

In FIG. 3, an embodiment(s) of a push process is disclosed, which cancomprise, but is not limited to, the following steps:

-   -   Step 301: a first terminal provides a two-dimensional code to be        scanned by a second terminal, and obtains the registration        information of the second terminal in the scanning process of        the two-dimensional code.    -   In some embodiments, the first terminal is usually a smart        device capable of playing multimedia files, such as, for        example, smart TVs and smart set-top boxes. After startup of the        first terminal, a two-dimensional code can be provided on the        display screen, and the first terminal can obtain the connection        information of the second terminal during the scanning process        of the two-dimensional code by the second terminal.    -   In some embodiments, the connection information may comprise the        registration information of the second terminal. In some        embodiments, the user can pre-register a user account in the        server side, and then login on the server side via a relevant        application loaded in the second terminal based on the user        account. In this step, the first terminal can obtain such        information as an identifier (ID) of the user account through a        scanning process of the two-dimensional code by the second        terminal.    -   Step 302: the first terminal transmits the registration        information to a server side.

Based on the above Step 301, after the first terminal obtains theregistration information of the second terminal, it can transmit theregistration information to the server side; after the server sidereceives the registration information, it can confirm that the usercorresponding to the registration information is willing to receive thepush information in the playing process of the multimedia file, and thenthe server side saves the registration information.

-   -   Step 303: the server side transmits the information to be pushed        to the second terminal according to the registration information        when the multimedia file is played at the push time point of the        information to be pushed.    -   In some embodiments, the first terminal can provide information        about the multimedia file selected by the user to the server        side when the registration information is sent to the server        side. For example, the first terminal can provide the name of        the user's on-demand movie to the server side, so that the        server side obtains the information to be added to the movie        according to the movie name, and transmits the information to be        pushed to the second terminal according to the registration        information when the movie is played at the push time point of        the information to be pushed.

In some embodiments, based on the above step 302, after receiving theregistration information transmitted by the first terminal, the serverside can monitor the playing situation of multimedia files by the firstterminal having transmitted the registration information; when the firstterminal plays a multimedia file, it obtains the information to bepushed relevant to the multimedia file, and transmits the information tobe pushed to the second terminal according to the registrationinformation when the multimedia file is played at the push time point ofthe information to be pushed.

In some embodiments, based on the above step 302, after receiving theregistration information transmitted by the first terminal, the serverside can monitor the playing progress of multimedia files by the firstterminal having transmitted the registration information; when the firstterminal plays a multimedia file, it obtains the information to bepushed relevant to the multimedia file, and transmits all information tobe pushed to the second terminal, and then transmits playing instructionto the second terminal when the multimedia file is played at the pushtime point of some information to be pushed; after receiving the playinginstruction, the second terminal displays the information to be pushed.

For example, it is assumed that the registration information of thesecond terminal is an account name from a “Taobao” application. Theserver side will obtain all information to be pushed relevant to themovie when a movie is played by the smart TV having transmitted theaccount name; it is assumed that the information to be pushed relevantto the movie is backpack C, and the corresponding push time point is50′. The server side will transmit the backpack C information to theuser's mobile phone when the movie time played by the smart TV reachesthe time point of 50′; the “Taobao” application loaded in the user'smobile phone pushes the backpack C information to the user, and the usercan browse and purchase backpack C via the “Taobao” application. In thisprocess, the smart TV keeps playing the movie without affecting theusers' viewing experience.

Corresponding to the embodiments of the aforementioned information pushprocess(es), the present disclosure also provides embodiments of theinformation push device.

According to some embodiments, the information push device utilized bythe disclosed systems and methods can be the first terminal. The deviceembodiments may be realized by software or hardware, or may be realizedthrough the combination of software and hardware. Take the softwareimplementation as an example; the device, in a logical sense, is formedas the corresponding computer program instruction in non-volatile memoryis read in memory to run through the processor in the first terminal. Interms of hardware, as shown in FIG. 4, it is a hardware structuraldiagram of push side where the information push device of theapplication is located; in addition to the processor, memory, networkinterface and non-volatile memory as shown in FIG. 4, the first terminalwhere the device is located in the embodiment, usually according to theactual function of the first terminal, may comprise other hardware, asunderstood by those of skill in the art.

Referring to FIG. 5, a structural diagram of an information push deviceis shown according to an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The information push device 400 may comprise:identifier obtaining unit 401, information push unit 402 andtwo-dimensional code providing unit 403. It should be understood thatthe units discussed herein are non-exhaustive, as additional or fewerunits (or sub-units) may be applicable to the embodiments of thedisclosed systems and methods.

In some embodiments, the identifier obtaining unit 401 obtains a pushidentifier of a second terminal; and

-   -   the information push unit 402 transmits information to be pushed        relevant to the multimedia file to the second terminal according        to the push identifier, so that the second terminal displays the        relevant information to be pushed.

In some embodiments, the push identifier is the connection informationused for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal; and

-   -   the information push unit 402 specifically establishes a        connection with the second terminal according to the connection        information, and transmits the information to be pushed to the        second terminal through the connection.

In some embodiments, the push identifier is the registration informationof the second terminal; and

-   -   the information push unit 402 specifically transmits the        registration information to a server side, so that the server        side transmits the information to be pushed to the second        terminal according to the registration information.

In some embodiments, the two-dimensional code providing unit 403provides a two-dimensional code to be scanned by the second terminal;and

-   -   the identifier obtaining unit specifically obtains the push        identifier of the second terminal through a scanning process of        the two-dimensional code.

In some embodiments, the information to be pushed comprises a push timepoint, the push time point being the playing time point of themultimedia file; and

-   -   the information push unit 402 specifically transmits the        information to be pushed to the second terminal according to the        push identifier when the multimedia file is played at the        playing time point.

In some embodiments, the first terminal is a smart TV or a smart set-topbox; and

-   -   the information to be pushed comprises product information        relevant to the multimedia file.

For the function and role implementation process of each unit in theabove-mentioned device, please refer to the implementation process ofcorresponding steps in the above-mentioned processes for details.

As the device embodiments substantially correspond to the processembodiments discussed above, references can be made from the partsexplaining the process embodiments for the relevant parts of the deviceembodiments. The device embodiments described above are merelyillustrative, wherein the units described as separate parts may or maynot be physically separated; the parts displayed as units may or may notbe physical units; they can be located at a location, or can bedistributed to multiple network elements. Part or all of units and/ormodules can be selected according to actual demand, to realize thepurpose of the application. For a person skilled in the art, thedisclosure can be understood and implemented according to the disclosurepresented herein.

For the purposes of this disclosure a unit or module is a software,hardware, or firmware (or combinations thereof) system, process orfunctionality, or component thereof, that performs or facilitates theprocesses, features, and/or functions described herein (with or withouthuman interaction or augmentation). A module can include sub-modules.Software components of a module may be stored on a computer readablemedium for execution by a processor. Modules may be integral to one ormore servers, or be loaded and executed by one or more servers. One ormore modules may be grouped into an engine or an application.

For the purposes of this disclosure the term “user”, “subscriber”“consumer” or “customer” should be understood to refer to a consumer ofdata supplied by a data provider. By way of example, and not limitation,the term “user” or “subscriber” can refer to a person who receives dataprovided by the data or service provider over the Internet in a browsersession, or can refer to an automated software application whichreceives the data and stores or processes the data.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and systems(and processes) of the present disclosure may be implemented in manymanners and as such are not to be limited by the foregoing exemplaryembodiments and examples. In other words, functional elements beingperformed by single or multiple components, in various combinations ofhardware and software or firmware, and individual functions, may bedistributed among software applications at either the client level orserver level or both. In this regard, any number of the features of thedifferent embodiments described herein may be combined into single ormultiple embodiments, and alternate embodiments having fewer than, ormore than, all of the features described herein are possible.

Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed amongmultiple components, in manners now known or to become known. Thus,myriad software/hardware/firmware combinations are possible in achievingthe functions, features, interfaces and preferences described herein.Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure covers conventionallyknown manners for carrying out the described features and functions andinterfaces, as well as those variations and modifications that may bemade to the hardware or software or firmware components described hereinas would be understood by those skilled in the art now and hereafter.

Furthermore, the embodiments of methods presented and described asflowcharts in this disclosure are provided by way of example in order toprovide a more complete understanding of the technology. The disclosedmethods are not limited to the operations and logical flow presentedherein. Alternative embodiments are contemplated in which the order ofthe various operations is altered and in which sub-operations describedas being part of a larger operation are performed independently.

While various embodiments have been described for purposes of thisdisclosure, such embodiments should not be deemed to limit the teachingof this disclosure to those embodiments. Various changes andmodifications may be made to the elements and operations described aboveto obtain a result that remains within the scope of the systems andprocesses described in this disclosure.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. All of the U.S. patents, U.S. patent applicationpublications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patentapplications and non-patent publications referred to in thisspecification and/or listed in the Application Data Sheet areincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of theembodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of thevarious patents, applications and publications to provide yet furtherembodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

1. A method comprising: receiving, by a server and from a first device,an identifier associated with a second device; identifying, by theserver, push information based on the identifier, the push informationcorresponding to a first content; monitoring, by the server, renderingof the first content on the first device; and transmitting a secondcontent to the second device based on the push information and themonitoring the rendering of the first content on the first device. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier is registrationinformation of the second device that is registered at the server. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the second content tothe second device includes obtaining the second content separately fromthe first content from a storage medium based on the push information.4. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the second content tothe second device include: obtaining the second content from the firstcontent based on the push information, and transmitting the firstcontent from the first device to the second device through short rangecommunication.
 5. The method of claim 1, comprising establishing a shortrange communication between the first device and the second device basedon the identifier.
 6. The method of claim 1, comprising adding, by theserver, the second content into the first content.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the push information includes a push time point fortransmitting the second content to the second device, and the push timepoint is a playing time point of the first content.
 8. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the push information includes a push time point fortransmitting the second content to the second device, and the push timepoint is a timer set with respect to the rendering of the first contenton the first device.
 9. A non-transitory storage medium having computerexecutable instructions stored thereon, which when executed by aprocessor enable the processor to implement acts comprising: receiving,from a first device, an identifier associated with a second device;identifying push information based on the identifier, the pushinformation corresponding to a first content; monitoring rendering ofthe first content on the first device; and transmitting a second contentto the second device based on the push information and the monitoringthe rendering of the first content on the first device.
 10. The storagemedium of claim 9, wherein the identifier is registration information ofthe second device that is registered at the server.
 11. The storagemedium of claim 9, wherein the transmitting the second content to thesecond device includes obtaining the second content separately from thefirst content from a storage medium based on the push information. 12.The storage medium of claim 9, wherein the transmitting the secondcontent to the second device include: identifying the second contentfrom the first content based on the push information, and causing totransmit the first content from the first device to the second devicethrough short range communication.
 13. The storage medium of claim 9,wherein the acts comprise adding the second content into the firstcontent.
 14. The storage medium of claim 9, wherein the push informationincludes a push time point for transmitting the second content to thesecond device, and the push time point is a playing time point of thefirst content.
 15. The storage medium of claim 9, wherein the pushinformation includes a push time point for transmitting the secondcontent to the second device, and the push time point is a timer setwith respect to the rendering of the first content on the first device.16. A computing device, comprising: a processor; and a memory havingexecutable instructions stored thereon, the executable instructions,when executed by the processor, configuring the processor to implementacts including: receiving, from a first device, an identifier associatedwith a second device; identifying push information based on theidentifier, the push information corresponding to a first content;monitoring rendering of the first content on the first device; andtransmitting a second content to the second device based on the pushinformation and the monitoring the rendering of the first content on thefirst device.
 17. The computing device of claim 16, wherein theidentifier is registration information of the second device that isregistered at the server.
 18. The computing device of claim 16, whereinthe transmitting the second content to the second device include:identifying the second content from the first content based on the pushinformation, and causing to transmit the first content from the firstdevice to the second device through short range communication.
 19. Thecomputing device of claim 16, wherein the acts comprise adding thesecond content into the first content.
 20. The computing device of claim16, wherein the push information includes a push time point fortransmitting the second content to the second device, and the push timepoint is a playing time point of the first content.